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Protest and dissent - New Zealand and the Cold War
The end of the Vietnam War shifted the focus of the Cold War away from Asia and New Zealand's need for ‘forward defence’ diminished. These changes, together with the anti-Vietnam War movement, ushered in a new era of debate about Cold War policies and New Zealand’s place in the world.
Protest against French nuclear testing
Wellington protest march against French nuclear testing in the Pacific, 1972
New directions - Royal NZ Navy
The RNZN’s independence as a service came to an end when the Ministry of Defence (created in July 1963) was reconstituted to incorporate all three armed services on 1 January 1964.
Post-war operations - Royal NZ Navy
Like all the services the RNZN faced difficulties of readjustment to peacetime conditions, not only in drastically reducing numbers but also in determining the shape of the post-war fleet
'French letter' by Herbs
Herbs are considered pioneers of the Pacific reggae sound. Their 1982 hit 'French letter', questioning French nuclear testing in the South Pacific, expressed the country's anti-nuclear stance.
Nuclear-free stamp
New Zealand's nuclear free policy features in The A to Z of New Zealand stamp series produced by New Zealand Post in 2008.
David Lange
Seven years and one stomach-stapling operation after entering Parliament in 1977, David Lange became PM at the age of 41.
Norman Kirk
In 1972 Norman Kirk broke National’s 12-year-long grip on the Treasury benches and became Labour’s first New Zealand-born PM.
USS Buchanan refused entry to NZ
New Zealand's Labour government refused the USS Buchanan entry because the United States would neither confirm nor deny that the ship had nuclear capability.
Classroom ideas - nuclear-free New Zealand
Suggestions and activities for using the nuclear-free topic in NCEA Level 1 history.
Last decade - NZ and the Cold War
Soviet-American tensions revived in the late 1970s as ‘détente’ (co-operation) gave way to a renewed arms race.
Nuclear Free New Zealand
This case study examines New Zealand's involvement in the nuclear debate of the 1970s and 1980s, culminating in a breakdown of the ANZUS alliance in 1985. With particular emphasis on French nuclear testing in the Pacific and the nuclear ships row, this case study will provide teachers with: Most of the activities can be completed with reference to the feature Nuclear Free New Zealand.
Protest as USS Texas visits Auckland
The visit sparked anti-nuclear rallies on land and sea. Nuclear ship visits became an election issue in 1984 and they were later banned by David Lange's Labour government.
HMNZS Otago sails for Mururoa test zone
Prime Minister Norman Kirk told the crew of the Otago that by sailing to France's nuclear testing area they would act as a 'silent witness with the power to bring alive the conscience of the world'.
New Zealand goes nuclear-free
The New Zealand Nuclear Free Zone, Disarmament and Arms Control Act was passed into law, establishing this country as a nuclear and biological weapon-free zone
World Court condemns French nuclear tests
The ruling by the International Court of Justice was part of New Zealand's long campaign to end French nuclear testing in the Pacific. The French ignored the court's injunction to cease testing.
Rainbow Warrior sunk in Auckland harbour
The Greenpeace ship, which was protesting against French nuclear testing, was torn apart by two bombs planted by French secret agents. A Portuguese crew member was killed.
Nuclear-free New Zealand
The sinking of the Greenpeace protest ship Rainbow Warrior in Auckland in July 1985 shocked the nation. The incident galvanised an anti-nuclear movement that had emerged in opposition to both French nuclear tests at Mururoa and American warship visits to New Zealand. 
Nuclear-free legislation - nuclear-free New Zealand
Labour leader David Lange had tried to work with the Americans, but their 'neither confirm nor deny' policy made a middle ground virtually impossible to find.
Sinking the Rainbow Warrior - nuclear-free New Zealand
In 1985 New Zealand was basking in its position as leader of the anti-nuclear movement. Then, on 10 July two explosions, set by French Secret Service agents, ripped through the hull of the Greenpeace flagship Rainbow Warrior, preventing it leaving for another protest campaign at Mururoa Atoll.

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